Ivan (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
snaggletooth) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
cultmirror2026-01-01 08:22 pm
snaggletooth) wrote in cultmirror2026-01-01 08:22 pm
001 - Hello, World - Week Two | CW: insects
[ A buzzing besets the wearers of masks, building and building. Then, the moment it seems impossible for it to become any louder, it stops. Like an approaching swarm that's ceased all aggression in an instant. There's still something sitting there behind this sudden cessation, however, hidden in the shifting blackness of the mind. A presence, just arrived, awaiting a turn to speak. ]
Hello, please pardon my intrusion. My name is Ivan. I'm standing at the entrance to Grand Central Station.
Before I head below, there's something I believe I should do for my own safety. With an appearance like mine, it would be easy for those of you I've yet to meet to mistake me for one of those other mindless things that live down there, in the dark. That's why I'm going to show myself to all of you now. It may be startling, so I apologize.
Please, brace yourself.
[ There is movement in the mind's eye. There is a light that switches on, illuminating an oily mass that goes on and on, disappearing off in the depths of the dark plane. Nothing gives it scale except for the distinct sense that it is looming, this terrible silhouette that terminates in the pale, placid face of a young man. It looks like a porcelain doll's head has been torn off and placed atop a nightmarish effigy.
He sways softly before allowing himself to fade away once again. ]
There, ahaha... if you're still hearing this, then I have to thank you for at least humoring me.
I realize that my gesture doesn't give anyone a reason to trust I'm not as bad as the next abomination you run into. I won't begrudge you, whatever your decision. There is one piece of guidance I can offer though. It doesn't even require dealing with me in person, fortunately for all.
Just concentrate with me — for one more moment.
[ He's not usually the one to do this. That person has concerningly not been present. At the end of the moment he requested, your thoughts are pulled along, beyond anywhere you thought to direct them. You can resist and the sensation will simply dissipate, but allow yourself to be lead and all will also be well. At the end of the line is a susurrating knot of voices speaking over one another. Echoes that, with just a bit of focus, become clearer. Individual. ]
If this information proves useful, send your regards to the young man named Megumi.
( NOTE: This message will be sent out once the Veteran's nightmares begin leading them to the tunnels. Ivan will be actively searching while communicating and can be intercepted by other characters in the area. His close companion Till may also respond and/or can optionally appear if a conversation thread is converted to action. )
Hello, please pardon my intrusion. My name is Ivan. I'm standing at the entrance to Grand Central Station.
Before I head below, there's something I believe I should do for my own safety. With an appearance like mine, it would be easy for those of you I've yet to meet to mistake me for one of those other mindless things that live down there, in the dark. That's why I'm going to show myself to all of you now. It may be startling, so I apologize.
Please, brace yourself.
[ There is movement in the mind's eye. There is a light that switches on, illuminating an oily mass that goes on and on, disappearing off in the depths of the dark plane. Nothing gives it scale except for the distinct sense that it is looming, this terrible silhouette that terminates in the pale, placid face of a young man. It looks like a porcelain doll's head has been torn off and placed atop a nightmarish effigy.
He sways softly before allowing himself to fade away once again. ]
There, ahaha... if you're still hearing this, then I have to thank you for at least humoring me.
I realize that my gesture doesn't give anyone a reason to trust I'm not as bad as the next abomination you run into. I won't begrudge you, whatever your decision. There is one piece of guidance I can offer though. It doesn't even require dealing with me in person, fortunately for all.
Just concentrate with me — for one more moment.
[ He's not usually the one to do this. That person has concerningly not been present. At the end of the moment he requested, your thoughts are pulled along, beyond anywhere you thought to direct them. You can resist and the sensation will simply dissipate, but allow yourself to be lead and all will also be well. At the end of the line is a susurrating knot of voices speaking over one another. Echoes that, with just a bit of focus, become clearer. Individual. ]
If this information proves useful, send your regards to the young man named Megumi.
( NOTE: This message will be sent out once the Veteran's nightmares begin leading them to the tunnels. Ivan will be actively searching while communicating and can be intercepted by other characters in the area. His close companion Till may also respond and/or can optionally appear if a conversation thread is converted to action. )
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. . . Thanks for the support.
[He really does mean that, too. He completely understands not wanting to go below ground. To be honest, Till hates it. He feels entirely out of his element and deeply uncomfortable down there.
He'll still go, though—he has his reasons.]
The other month, one of our tethers to a friend snapped. It was pretty crushing... but now, out of nowhere, we feel it again. She’s down there, somewhere in the tunnels.
So now we have to go find her.
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Aventurine knows exactly who he's talking about, but he simply goes along with it as if he hasn't the slightest who that might be.
He also sounds surprised about tether snapping being so emotionally painful (he's not, he knows very well from Lortel, Kalmiya, and Nicola.)
but it just makes things a little bit confusing if Aventurine clarified all this, especially with: why isn't he going down for Lortel himself if he had a tether with her, too? He is well aware Till and Ivan are unfamiliar with a lot of human nuances, so to him it's best to be simple. It could make Till feel like his reasons for going down there somehow aren't considered valid, and the gambler doesn't want that. ]
Is that so? She must be a sweet girl for you two to be going out of your way to retrieve her. I look forward to meeting her.
I'll always be here to support you, of course.
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[Not that she’s exuberant like Mizi. It’s a different sort of kindness—more like Aventurine’s, he supposes.]
What will you be doing topside? Are you gonna go on that little treasure hunt?
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When asked about what he'll do, he'll answer. ] I believe so. My guess is with the hosts on the move now that you all can pass, that they'll be causing trouble to things up here, as well, come nightfall.
I believe I can be the most effective in crowd controlling any of their interference during the search. Once we finish up here, of course we can back the rest of you up, then, if it's necessary.
Besides, there's only two of us. Even though we're stronger together, it's probably wisest that we split to be sure we cover both groups when missions need to be accomplished.
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